Adhocracy Book

The Darwinian prescription is simple: adapt or perish. In today's global economy small businesses, Fortune-500 corporations, and even national economies must obey this rule of survival. The opportunities of the twenty-first century beckon, but only for groups that have the tools for innovation ingrained in their basic philosophy. According to Robert Waterman, coauthor of In Search of Excellence, successful innovation requires the creation of a dynamic, fluid environment - "Adhocracy" - that fosters the effective use of ad hoc, problem-solving work groups operating outside the normal bureaucracy. Adhocracy: The Power to Change draws on Waterman's twenty-five years in management consultancy, experience that has made him one of the most prominent and widely respected business experts in America today. He cites examples of adhocracy at work: Ford Motor's revolutionary Taurus, New York Life's dramatically redesigned insurance policies, and Hewlett-Packard's renewed management philosophy, among others. Adhocracy, Waterman writes, can take many forms: task forces, independent business units, or two people simply meeting in a hallway to solve a common problem. Managers should view the resources applied to adhocracy as "adventure capital" and invest it to reshape companies, generate new products, and ensure quality. In this insightful and lively new work, Waterman offers clear instructions on how to establish adhocracy and make it work. Adhocracy: The Power to Change should become an essential handbook for managers at all levels who recognize the urgent need to redefine the rules for success.